Penn men’s lacrosse's Team IMPACT match is Toren Mehta.
Credit: Sukhmani KaurTeamwork makes the dream work.
The roster of Penn men’s lacrosse team has 52 players. One extra spot has been added for a special player who happens to be a decade younger than his teammates, and his name is Toren Mehta.
Team IMPACT is a national organization that matches children who have serious illnesses or disabilities with collegiate athletic teams. This multi-year program has a mission of guiding "children and teams alike in a mutually beneficial relationship of belonging, empowerment, and resilience,” and it provides long-standing, impactful support to all who are involved. Many of the Penn Athletics teams have one roster spot dedicated to a Team Impact child.
Toren Mehta, a fourth-grader at an elementary school in Fort Washington, PA., has been a member of the Penn men’s lacrosse for the last two years. Having recently completed two and a half years of treatment for leukemia, he sought out Team Impact as a support system during his recovery. He has been dubbed the title of “King of Hi Fives” by his teammates.
“[In a recent scrimmage], he was so animated,” men’s lacrosse coach Mike Murphy said. “And he was running up and down the sidelines, high-fiving people, and just really into the game.”
Toren has grown into a valuable, beloved member of the Penn men’s lacrosse community, and his relationship with the team has been strong since he first matched with the team in 2024.
“[Toren] was looking for role models and also just a kind of support in taking on this second half of his treatment. And the guys on the team did a great job welcoming him from the very first visit, helping him come out of his shell a lot quicker than his parents even anticipated.” Grace Lerro, the regional lead case manager for Team Impact who matched Toren to Penn men’s lacrosse, said.
“Whoever made that decision [to match Toren with our team] did a really good job,” Murphy said. “[On the first day], I mean, he was a little reticent … to extend himself and to know who we were and things. But, certainly, by the end of the first day, … he was much more comfortable because of people like Chris and others.”
From huddles on Franklin Field, encouraging videos before his medical appointments, and even attending his soccer games, Penn men’s lacrosse has taken the initiative to make Toren feel as adored as possible, which is especially helpful throughout his difficult journey.
Senior midfielder Chris Canet is one player who has played an important role in the association between Team IMPACT and Penn men’s lacrosse. As the Team IMPACT representative for men’s lacrosse, Canet is the point person for this organization, and he has helped in creating a welcoming environment for Toren.
“I get to have the opportunity to have a really close relationship with Toren. … [what] brought me to wanting to be in this position is I want to be around people that have inspiring stories.” Canet said.
On and off the field, this team values togetherness as a means of fostering a sense of belonging for every player, including Toren. Canet has taken the lead in organizing many bonding events for Toren and the team ranging from playing board games in the locker room to arranging a mock Signing Day.
“We set up a signing day where [Toren] got to officially be a part of the team with a jersey and a pen and paper and a big table. And, all of our team was around to support us, and we took pictures, just like we all do. … Then, he got to participate in Media Day, which was pretty fun. He got to suit up in our gear and take pictures with us.”
Penn men’s lacrosse team has taken teamwork to the next level through their loving relationship with Toren, and their impact on him is mirrored in Toren’s impact on each player.
“Certainly, the impact on our team has been significant just because it provides a little bit of perspective. You know, guys are thinking they have a tough day, and then they look at Toren who is facing real challenges… It kind of puts things in the right perspective.”
As a resilient child who grapples with many struggles, Toren’s recovery has been challenging, but Team IMPACT and Penn men’s lacrosse have provided him with a brighter solution: unity. Team IMPACT has bettered the lives of both Toren and his team, and this organization deserves more recognition for its invaluable work.
So, as Penn men’s lacrosse continues its season, take time to look out for an additional player. Though he may be smaller in size, his worth on the team has no bounds.
“He is the definition of perseverance, and he truly shows us how much we have to be grateful for. Oftentimes, we succumb to taking for granted the ability to be on the field and with our friends every day, being able to participate in sports which Toren didn’t have the ability to. So he’s a constant inspiration to us.”
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